Transmission



Sept. 11, 1945 H E CARNAGUA `f1-AL 2,384,439

TRANSMISSION Filed June 26, 1945 Patented sept. 11, 194s TRANSMISSION lHarold E. Carnagua and Kenneth-K. Stougli,

Muncie, Ind., assignors to Borg-Warner Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of'lllinoll Application June 26, v1943. Serial No. 492,377v

(Cl. 19E-53)' s claims. Our invention relates to positive coupling devices of the type shown inapplication Serial No.

492,374, tiled simultaneously 'herewith in the name of Harold E. Carnagua and John M. Simpson for United States Letters Patent on a coupling device, adapted to bev employed, in connection with suitable controls. for effecting an automatic shift between two of the gear ratios .of a

orally of a conventional type and in which other shiftsmay be operator energized. The general object of our invention is to provide a coupling transmission in which the gearing may be genembodying the invention, shown in the' neutral position;

Fig. 2 is an axial section view of the same shown in the second speed drive position; and

Fig. 3 is an axial section view of the same shown in the direct drive position.

As an example of one form in-which the invention may be embodied, we have shown in the drawing a gearing arrangement corresponding in general to a conventional three speed manually l shifted automobile transmission including adiof this type which is adapted to utilize a friction V type of synchronizing means.

More specifically, the invention contemplates a positive clutch mechanism which is adaptable to an arrangement, in a motor vehicle transmission, wherein the shift from a lower ratio such as second speed to a higher ratio such as direct drive is elected automatically in response to a decelerating torque load transmitted from the lower ratio driving member to the oiutchmechanism, and wherein the downshift from the higher ratio to the lower ratio may be effected by the torque responsive means under the control of the operator in moving the engine throttle control in throttle opening direction, the clutch mechanism being automatically locked in the higher ratio position by locking means which is adapted to be unlocked in conjunction with establishing (as by opening the engine throttle) a. forward driving torque on the torque responsive mechanism by which the clutch means is shifted away from the higher ratio position. One ofthe objects of the invention is to provide, in such a clutch mechanism., an arrangement wherein the torque r'esponsive mechanism energizes both a frictional synchronizing mechanism and a positive clutch means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a positive coupling mechanism embodying torque responsive means which is adapted to energize first a frictional synchronizing mechanism and then a positive coupling mechanism. To this end, the invention provides an arrangement wherein torque responsive thrustisapplied directly to the shiitable positive clutch member and from the latter is transmitted through yieldabie thrust transmitting means te the friction synchronizing mechanism.

These and other objects and features of this invention will become apparent from the following specification when taken together with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is an axial section view of a transmission rect drive member il adapted to transmit a re. duced drive .to a second speed drive member I2 through the'medium of gear teeth Il formed on lthe direct drive member It a gear I8 meshing with the gear teeth I6 and forming part of a .countershaft gear cluster 2l (shown schematically),a gear 22 also forming part of the gear cluster 20, and gear teeth 24 on'the second speed member I2, meshing with the gear 22. The drive is adapted to -be transmitted to a driven shaft Il, either in direct ratio from the direct drive member l0 or at a reduced ratio from the second speed drive member i2, through a shiftable jaw clutch member 26 having teeth 28 adapted to mesh with lclutch teeth 30 on the direct drive member Il andteeth 22 adapted to mesh with clutch-teeth 34 on the second speed drive member I2.

The jaw clutch member 2t, which is of annular form, encircles and is splined to a hub member l5 which in turn is connected to the driven shaft Il by a helically splined connection 4t,- the direction of the spline It being such as to urge 'thevclutch member 2l toward the direct drive I member I0 when a deceleration load is applied to, the clutchmember 2B from one of the driving members Ill or I2 and the driven shaft Il is driven forwardly under a coast torque, and to urge the clutch member 2B toward the second speed member i2 -when a forward driving torque is applied to the member 2l from one of the driving membere.

For manually shifting the clutch provide a shift sleeve l2 which is axially shiftable on the cylindrical periphery of the clutch membei' 23 and is adapted to be locked to the clutch member 28 by locking balls I4 caged in openings It in the shift sleeve B2 and adapted to be forced -by a locking ring t2 into an annular groove 58 member 22 from the neutral yposition to one/of the drive positions (normally the second speed'position) we movement to the sleeve. Locking ring 52 is constantly biased toward its locking position (shown in Fig. 3) determined by engagement against the collar 16, by coil springs 55 caged in bores 55 in the locking ring 52 and compressed between the bottoms of the bores 55 and a washer 58 encircling the shift sleeve 52 and abutted against a snap ring 15 mounted in the sleeve 52. From this locking position the ring 52 is adapted to move toward the washer 55 to its unlocking position shown in Fig. 2, wherein an annular groove 15 in its inner-surface registers with the locking balls 55 and permits the latter to move out of the groove 55 or 59. The ring 52 is adapted `to be moved to this position against the compression ofthe springs 55 by a shift yoke 12 adapted to engage a shoulder 35 on the ring 52.

'I'he shift yoke 12 is adapted to be operated by means coordinated with the engine throttleof the vehicle in which the transmission is embodied, so

" that the locking ring 52 may be moved to its unlocking position in conjunction with throttle Vopening movement such as for example a movement beyond full throttle position.

A suitable arrangement of control mechanism is described in the companion application Serial No. 492,376 filed simultaneously herewith, in the name of Harold E. Crnagua and Maurice N. Bareham for Transmission."

For synchronizing the clutch member 25 to the member toward which itV is being shifted, we provide friction synchronizers 5I and 55 respectively. comprising friction facings 55 carried by a series of thrust rods 51 mounted in bores 55 in the Jaw member 25, and coacting friction rings 1I splined to the respective driving teeth 25 and 55. Coil springs 15 mounted in bores 11 in rings 15 on the driving members I5 and I2 respectively form yielding abutments for the rings 1 I. Poppet balls 5I mounted in bores 55 in the jaw member 25 are urged outwardly by springs 55 seated in sockets 51 in the hub member 55, into engagement with one of three series of recesses 55 in the respective thrust rods 51.

In the neutral position of the synchronizer. which is conventionally intermediate the two driving positions, the poppet balls`5| engage the intermediate recess 55 as shown in Fig. 1. In shifting from neutral to second speed ratio. the shift yoke 55 is moved to the right, manual pressure being transmitted from the yoke 55 through the shift sleeve 52, the locking balls 55 (engaged in groove 59) and the jaw member 25 and poppet balls 5| to the thrust rods 51, bringing the friction ring 55 of the synchronizer 53 into engagement with the friction ring 1I thereof and forcibly synchronizing the speed of the driving member I2 with that of the jaw member 25 and driven shaft I5. 'I'he clutch teeth 22 may then mesh with. the clutch teeth 35. As the clutch teeth move into meshing engagement, the poppet balls 5I will be forced out of the central recesses 59 and into the right hand series of recesses 58. The engagement of the poppet balls II in the right hand recesses 55 will yieldably latch the thrust rods 51 to the clutch member 25 in the relative positions shown in Fig. 2., and these relative positions will be maintained until direct drive is established.

As the shift fork 55 is being moved to the right, the fork 12 will beheld, by suitable means, in the position shown in Fig. l. The collar 52 will engage the lever 12 and be stopped thereby, while the shifting movement of the sleeve 52 continues (resulting in the springs 55 being compressed) un..

til the groove 15 in the ring 52 registers with the locking balls 55 and permits the latter to move out of the groove 59 in the clutch member 25. After the sleeve 52 is unlocked from the clutch member 25, its movement to the right is continued until it reaches a position in which the locking balls 55 are engaged against the cylindrical periphery of the clutch member 25 and thus locked in engagement with the groove 15 of the locking ring. This locks the locking ring to the shift sleeve 52 with the springs 55 urging it toward the right. The shift fork 12 is then moved, by suitable linkage with the fork 55, to the position shown in Fig. 2, while the sleeve 52 is completing its movement to the second speed position shown in Fig. 2. The transmission is now in second speed ratio and power is transmitted through the countershaft and the second speed drive member I2 to the clutch member 25 and thus to the driven shaft I5.

The shift fork 55 is then locked in its position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. and thus functions to hold the shift sleeve in proper position for subsequently assisting in locking the clutch member 25 in the direct drive position, as will presently be explained.

The shift from second speed to direct drive is accomplished automatically in response to deceleration of the driving member I2, the coast torque on the driven member I5 reacting through the helically splined connection 55 against the clutch member 25, and the deceleration loads, transmitted to the clutch member 25 first by the second speed drive member I2 and subsequently by the second speed direct drive member I 5, combining to produce a torque reaction in the helically splined connection 55 which moves the clutch member 25 from the second speed to the direct drive position. Since the direct drive synchronizer facing 55 is carried in a position shifted to the left with reference to the clutch member 25, it will engage its coacting facing 1I before the clutch teeth 22 become disengaged from the clutch teeth 35 of the second speed member, and thus there will be a continuous transmission of deceleration load from the driving members to the clutch member 25. The provision of the arrangement wherein the thrust rods 51 may be latched in three different positions relative to the clutch member 25 thus makes it possible for both synchronizers to be disengaged simultaneously for the neutral position shown in Fig. 1, while provision is made for continuity of torque transmission from the driving members to the clutch member 26 in the torque responsive shift.

Upon engagement of the facing 1I of the direct drive synchronizer 5I the latter will be moved to the left, compressing the springs 15 until it engages the spring cage member 15 and the poppet balls 5I will then be forced out of the right hand recesses 59 and into the intermediate receases 89. At the same time, the synchronizer 5I will be synchronizing the clutch member 25 with the driving member I5 under the torque reactive pressure transmitted from the clutch member 25 through the poppet balls 5I and recesses 55v and thrust rods 51, and when synchronization has been effected, the clutch member 25 will shift on into clutching engagement with the direct drive clutch teeth 55 in the direct drive position shown in Fig. 3.

As the clutch member 25 moves to the left, the shift sleeve 52 will be restrained by the shift yoke 55, which is locked in a fixed position as stated above, and when the clutohrmember 25 reaches the direct drive position the locking balls 54 will engage in the groove 56 of the clutch member 26. being forced therein by the camming action of the locking ring 62 under the constant biasing of the springs 64. This frees the locking ring 62 for axial movement and it will move to the right under the bias of the springs 64 until stopped by the collar 52, and in this position, shown in Fig. 3, it locks the balls 54 in the groove 58. Thus the clutch member 26 is locked to the shift sleeve 52 which in turn is locked ina xed position as stated above, and the clutch mechanism is therefore locked in the direct drive position.

The clutch mechanism may be downshifted to the second speed position while the shift sleeve 52 still remains locked in the Fig. 3 position. This is accomplished by accelerating the driving members i and I2 and shifting the fork 'I2 to the left against the compression of the springs 64 until the groove 14 registers with the locking balls 5I. whereupon the clutch member 26 will be unlocked from the shift sleeve 52 and will, under the torque reaction established by the acceleration of the driving members, (transmitted to the clutch member 26 first through the clutch teeth 30, 28 and subsequently through the synchronizer 63) shift from the direct drive to the second speed position. During the early stages of this shift the friction locking position wherein said coupling element is released for uncoupling movement.

2. In a coupling, in combination with a pair of members, one rotatable with reference to the other, a coupling element adapted for positive coupling connection with one of said members, a torque responsive driving connection between said coupling element and the other member adapted, under torque transmission in one direction btween said members, to shift said coupling element axially to establish said coupling connection and in response to torque transmission between said members in the opposite direction to uncouple said connection, means for locking said coupling element in said'coupling connection and including a movable locking element having an unlocking and a locking position, means constantly biasing said locking element toward its locking position, synchronizing means comprising coacting friction devices having driving connection with the respective members, adapted under axial pressure from said coupling element when facing 65 of the synchronizer 63 will be carried in a position shifted to the right relative to the clutch member 26, with the poppet balls 8| in the left hand series of recesses 89, this position having been established at the completion of the shift from second speed to direct drive. In this position, the synchronizer 63 will engage before the clutch teeth 30, 26 disengage, thus providing a continuous drive from the driving members to the clutch member 26 during the shift. At the completion of the shift, the parts will again be in the position shown in Fig. 2.

Return to the neutral position from second speed is accomplished by unlocking the shift fork 66 and manually shifting the sleeve 52 to the left, rst registering the locking balls 54 with the groove 59 and locking the sleeve 52 to the hub 26, (by the spring energized shift of' 'the locking ring 62 to the right) and then moving the hub 26 to the left with the sleeve 52 until the neutral position of Fig. 1 is reached.

While we have disclosed our invention in connection with certain specic embodiments there'- of, it is to be understood that these are by way of example rather than limitation, and it is intended that the invention be dened by the appended claims which should be given a scope as broad as consistent with the prior art.

We claim:

1. In a coupling, in combination with a pair of members. one rotatable with reference to the other, a coupling element `adapted for positive coupling connection with one of said members and having a driving connection with the other member permitting it to shift axially to establish said coupling connection, means for locking said coupling element in said coupling connection and including a movable locking element having an uni said clutch means in said clutched position andi locking and a locking position, means constantb' the latter is being shifted toward the coupling positlon, to synchronize said members, and operator controlled means for moving said locking element to its unlocking position wherein said coupling element is released for uncoupling movement.

3. A coupling as defined in claim 2, including operator controlled means for shifting said coupling element from a neutral, non-driving position to a position from which it may move torque responsively.

4. In a transmission, in combination with a pair of .torque transmitting members arranged to rotate at different speeds, shiftable clutch means adapted for clutching connection with either of said pair of members, means energized by transmission of torque in one direction between said torque transmitting members and said shiftable clutch means for shifting said clutch means to a position clutched to one of said members and, energized by transmission of torque between said members and said clutch means in the opposite direction for unclutchlng the clutch means from said one member, locking means effective to lock including a movable locking element having an unlocking and a locking position, means constantly biasing said locking element toward its locking position, synchronizing means comprising coacting friction devices having driving connections with the respective members and with said clutch means, adapted under axial pressure from said clutch means when the latter is being shifted toward its clutching position, to synchronize the clutch means with the member toward which it is being shifted, and operator controlled means for moving said locking element to unlocking position wherein said clutch means is released for unclutching movement.

5. A 4transmission as defined in claim 4, including operator controlled means for moving said clutch means from a neutral, non-driving position to its other clutched position, from which it may move torque responsively.

6. In a synchronizer, in combination with a.v

members and ma amen means tc mrt scid clutch means into clutching connection with the other of said pair ot members. and means :for

synchronizing said clutch means with the ciu-tchv either ofthree axially spaced positions, the thrust member carried friction element being carried in axially advanced positions relative to the clutch means :when in the outer or said three positions so as to establish contact' with their coacting clutch members while positive clutching engagement is maintained with the opposite clutch members, and being-adapted to be both disconnected from their respective friction clutch elements while the clutch means is unclutched from the positive clutch' means ot both clutch member to either oi' said pair of members c cmprising a coupling member having an axially shiftable torque transmitting connection .with said third member and adapted to establish positivevcoupling connection with either of said pair of members, and synchronizing means comprising thrust means carried by said positive coupling member, friction members carried by the respective axial extremities of said thrust means,

coacting friction elements drivingly connected to the respective members of said pairs and adapted .to be selectively engaged by said friction niembers, and means for yieldably connecting said thrust means to said coupling member in either otthrce axially spaced positions in each of the outer of which the thrust means carried tricmembers, in the intermediate of said three positions. l 1. In a synchronizing positive coupling, in combination with a pair of members one ci which is rotatable relative to the other and a third member, means for selectively coupling said .third tion member on the disconnected side ot the coupling member is carried in an axially advanced position, relative to said coupling member so as to establish contact with its coacting friction element prior to releaseot the existing positive coupling connection.

8'. A synchronizing coupling as deilned in claim ,'I, 'wherein said thrust means comprises a plurality of rods extending through axial bores in said coupling member and each provided with three axially spaced recesses, and wherein said yielding thrust connection comprises DOPDet balls yieldingly urged into engagement with said receases.

HAROLD E. CARNAGUA.

KENNETH K. BTOUGH. 

